Hawks look ahead

RENTON, Wash. – If a dark cloud was hanging over the Seahawks on Wednesday, it was only because they ditched their indoor digs to practice outside on a dreary, damp afternoon.

Yes, there has been a ton of talk this week about the possible suspensions of cornerbacks Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman, who according to multiple reports face four-game suspensions for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing substances, but with both players set to play this week and beyond while the appeals process plays out, it will be business as usual for the Seahawks.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said …

RENTON, Wash. – If a dark cloud was hanging over the Seahawks on Wednesday, it was only because they ditched their indoor digs to practice outside on a dreary, damp afternoon.

Yes, there has been a ton of talk this week about the possible suspensions of cornerbacks Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman, who according to multiple reports face four-game suspensions for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing substances, but with both players set to play this week and beyond while the appeals process plays out, it will be business as usual for the Seahawks.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said he has talked to both Sherman and Browner to make sure they’re in the right place mentally despite a potentially huge distraction, and as for the rest of his team, Carroll said this week’s news

“Is not an issue in our locker room. We’re playing football and going.”

Sherman said this week won’t be any different for him and Browner than would any other game week.

“Nothing different,” he said. “It’s not tough at all. This is the same old routine for us. Regardless of what’s going on, you just go out there and play football.”

Fullback Michael Robinson, a special team’s co-captain and leader in the locker room, said he isn’t worried about his team getting off track this week because Sherman and Browner may or may not be suspended.

What is concerning to Robinson, however, is the bigger picture issues when it comes to drug testing. Robinson, the team’s union representative, wishes the league did more to educate players about performance enhancing substances, particularly when it comes to prescription drugs that have other medicinal uses, such as Adderall, the stimulant that was reportedly the cause for Browner and Sherman’s positive tests. 

“‘Your responsible for what goes in your body,’ that’s pretty much all they tell us,” Robinson said. “You’d just like to see some things cleared up.”

Bryant, Hill in doubt

Defensive end Red Bryant and linebacker Leroy Hill were both held out of Wednesday’s practice, and Carroll said he did not know if either would be available for Sunday’s game.

Thomas fined

Safety Earl Thomas wrote on Twitter that he was fined $15,000 by the league, then later confirmed to reporters that the fine was for his hit on Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill. That hit, which drew a flag, negating a Bobby Wagner touchdown, was a controversial and big play in the game, as it led to a Dolphins touchdown.